On Monday, France’s President Francois Hollande met with Fidel Castro in Havana, Cuba, marking the first time a French president went to Cuba since 1898.

In December, President Obama announced his plans to reopen relations with Cuba. President Hollande wished to be the first western leader to visit the island since the announcement. He wanted the visit to symbolize France’s commitment to the newly mended relations.

Raul Castro, the country’s current leader, greeted Hollande initially. However Hollande made it a priority to visit with Fidel, the 88 year old man who led the Cuban Revolution in the ‘50s and led the country for over four decades. Raul took his brother’s place as president in 2008, when Fidel retired due to poor health.

Fidel met with Hollande in his current home where he lives with his wife and two children. The two talked for an hour, before Hollande met up with Raul.
Raul Castro and Hollande discussed human rights, the opening of Cuba, and what that would mean for the island. He also advocated for the U.S. to lift its trade embargo on Cuba, emphasizing its damage on the island.

The French president spoke directly in support of Cuba’s new era, and promised aid for the opening in any way possible.

He stated, “Cuba wants to move on to a new phase, a new period, a new time for this island that was victim of an embargo.”

The first thing Monday morning, Hollande met with Cardinal Jaime Ortega, the head of the Cuban Catholic Church. Ortega has acted as mediator between those for and against Cuba’s new relations with the Western Hemisphere. Because of this, Hollande awarded Ortega the Legion of Honour, France’s highest honor.

President Hollande next spoke to students at the University of Havana. He assured them that, “the measures which have so badly harmed Cuba’s development can finally be repealed.” He also promised to double the number of scholarships awarded to Cuban students to continue their
education in France. He hopes this will further improve relations and understanding between the two countries.